For some annoying reason I have been battling dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, on my forehead, upper lip, and under my eyes…I look dirty! My best friend, who happens to be a dermatologist, told me it is from the sun. The dark spots are a new thing for me and it is not something I can learn to accept. Pretty skin is important to me…So I did some research and found a few remedies I wanted to try (in addition to hydroquinone cream). Aloe vera has beneficial skin healing powers, it contains all kinds of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties while helping your skin shine brighter and lighter. I read that aloe vera works on hyperpigmentation by encouraging the skin to regenerate new skin cells while also moisturizing and cleansing. Even though dark spots are pretty difficult to treat I thought it was worth a try! After reading through several different recipes I decided to make my own very simple aloe vera mask with coconut oil and lemon juice. The acidic juice will also help lighten the dark spots and give the aloe vera gel a longer shelf life.

Gel may have a slight pink tint due to oxidation.

Ingredients:

Aloe Vera gel

Lemon juice

Coconut oil

Method:

Cut the end and rough sides off the aloe Vera

Using a sharp knife, slice off the top rind to expose the gel

Using a spoon or the knife scoop the gel into a bowl

In a small food processor add approximately 3 to 4 heaping tablespoons of gel

Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Add 3/4 the juice of 1 lemon…more than half but not every drop

Blend for approximately 1 minute

To use:

To use as a mask apply to face and neck for approximately 10 to 15 minutes (it’s really slimy and slippery so apply mask in appropriate location, like the bathtub)

To use as a toner, dip cotton ball in gel and rub on face and neck, focusing on dark spots. I like to do this at night then wash my face in the morning and continue with my normal routine.

These remedies can take up to a week or more for any discernible results to be seen.

Keep the concoction is your refrigerator, it will last for approximately 1-2 week(s).

My aloe vera leaf was big and I had leftovers/extra…I blended the remaining gel with lemon juice to create aloe vera juice. I kept it in my refrigerator and consumed 1 to 2 tablespoons per day.

I have a confession. Zac and I use to listen to only rap music. Rap music and farming…seems like some kind of oxymoron, don’t you think?! We thought so too, so we recently got Sirius radio and started listening to The Highway. That lead to me thinking about all the country I listened to in college at OSU, which then led to this playlist. This playlist is a mix between bands I saw in college, outlaw country, and just random favorites.

I love fine art…. I could spend hours/days looking at artwork of all kinds. The internet is such a fun resource to have when it comes to perusing because you can always discover new artist you may have never heard of otherwise. Some mornings I spend hours looking at the art section on Pinterest and that is exactly how I discovered this jewel. This blog is supposed to help represent me and what makes my world go round and art is a part of who I am. Therefore, I think it is fun to share pieces with you guys that I have found and fallen in love with.

“I listen and wait for the voice of a thousand rushing waters. I can hear it in the distance, calling me to go forth in this journey. My thoughts are on heaven as I move through the mountains of this realm, to seek my future and what it beholds.” – Dimitra Milan

This painting is called “Running the Distance”. I really love it. I think it is so beautiful, the detail is amazing and I love that it has a southwestern feel to it with the wolf and desert scene. The artist, Dimitra Milan is a 16 yr old girl from Arizona. Yes, that is right, 16! Both of her parents are established artist who own an art institute where Dimitra was able to take classes and learn, but also obviously has an amazing natural talent. In an interview I read, Dimitra stated “I paint women and animals/nature together to create a dreamy atmosphere and to give you a feeling that anything is possible. I think of each animal more as a symbol, rather than just the animal itself. I think about the function and attributes of the animal and use it as a symbol. I often like to paint animals that are traditionally viewed as dangerous or predators, or animals that simply have a dangerous edge. I feel like the women who represent me or the viewer have an opportunity to overcome, or to be a part of, a grand supernatural adventure. Sometimes these relationships between the woman and the animal represent our relationship with the one who created all of us. In my paintings, these predators are not dangerous, they don’t bite and they don’t sting.”

I find this piece of art and this artist very inspirational and I hope you do too! If you want to see more of her artwork or learn more about the artist go to her website at https://www.dimitramilan.com/

One day while surfing the internet I came across this ^^ breathtaking photo of my ever loved Black Mesas. (read about my love here)

Stanley Harper of Black Mesa Images is the artist and I am so in love with his work.(check out his facebook page here) Not only does he have some great shots of Black Mesa but he has perfectly captured the entire panhandle of Oklahoma. I found myself looking through every single picture, I couldn’t get enough…. I am such a sucker for the sky, living in the flatlands can do that to you. We may do without a lot of things out here in No Mans Land, but God makes up for it by painting us some of the most gorgeous skies! I have always had a passion for sunsets, but Stanley’s night shots of the milky way and all the stars are my favorite. The lightening strikes are pretty rad too. I love photography, someday I hope to have the equipment and knowledge to take killer photos of the sky. (he has a pretty fabulous collection of nightscapes for sale on his website)

My husband and I love going on beach vacations and this year we opted for Montego Bay, Jamaica. We have been to Jamaica before, but we have never stayed in Montego Bay. We are totes excited to say the least! We decided in our limited traveling experience that it is best not to check a bag if possible. That being said, I have become a minimalist in the packing department. (my husband thinks it is not necessary to pack everything I own)#maybeheisright. When I saw this Nastygal dress on pursenboots (check out her blog here) it was love at first sight. I had to have it! I am really into mixed metal and metallic fashion trends right now. Whether it is cool silvers or rich golds, I can’t get enough of the shimmering fabrics and shiny accessories. The rose gold color of the studded bikini will make it easy to mix and match with other bathing suits, and the Brazilian bottoms were a good motivator. 😉 New fun funky sunglasses on beach vacations is kinda “my thing” so when I saw these babies it was a no brainer. I always end up doing some kind of braid to keep my hair out of my way while in the water and I thought these little stars would be a fun addition to a braid.

Like this:

This is a recipe I found in one of my favorite magazines called Willow and Sage, originally from Sarah Howard’s blog. I really liked it and thought you might too! Coffee is surprisingly great for dry winter skin helping to improve blood flow making your skin appear radiant and bright.

Mix the ground coffee beans with the cocoa powder. Mix in the milk, and stir until it creates a paste. For a thicker paste, use less milk. Fold in honey. Apply to skin and let dry for up to 20 minutes. Rinse off, and store any extra mask in the fridge for up to three days.

We leave Christmas Day to have Albin Christmas in Red River, NM! It is suppose to snow…a lot…so yay for a white Christmas. Anyways…back in the day, Zac’s mom use to make these really yummy peanut butter Ritz crackers covered with almond bark, I call them Christmas cookies. Last year we decided to make them a part of our Christmas tradition. And by we, I mean Zac. He made them last year and then again this year. I have to give him photo credit as well.

• • • •

Ingredients:

Ritz crackers

Peanut butter

Chocolate almond bark

Vanilla almond bark

Method:

Make peanut butter sandwiches by spreading peanut butter between two Ritz crackers (make sure to “break” a couple Ritz with peanut butter for a snack while cooking)

Heat chocolate almond bark on stove on low heat

Once melted completely coat peanut butter sandwiches using tongs to flip and recover sandwich from chocolate

Allow to dry/harden on a cookie sheet (cover in parchment paper for easy cleanup!)

We usually make 3 sleeves of cracker sandwiches, because it gets old making all of them. That works pretty evenly for a whole package of almond bark. We have tried making them with the white almond bark and drizzle with chocolate, but we prefer them dipped in chocolate with the white drizzle!